Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Supporters say low interest rates make now the time to pass Lakewood levy

The cafeteria at Hebron Elementary is small and cramped, causing the school to run lunchtime for longer than they would like, saying it cuts into learning time. Lakewood is pushing its fourth levy attempt to replace the 100-year-old school.(Photo: Jessica Phelps/The Advocate)

HEBRON - Approval of the bond issue next week to build a new pre-K-5 school for Lakewood could save taxpayers money, due to historically low interest rates, supporters of the issue say.

On Tuesday, voters in the district will decide, for the fourth time, whether or not to fund the school, which would replace 105-year old Hebron Elementary and 50-year-old Jackson Intermediate. The bond issue was defeated in November and will be for the same amount ($31.3 million) over the same number of years (28), collected at an estimated 3.8 mills and 4-percent interest rate.

For a home valued at $100,000, the cost is $11.08 per month, or $133 per year. However, Lakewood said on its Facebook page that the bonds may require only 3.3 mills, and due to falling interest rates, the bonds could be done at 2.5 percent, not 4.0 percent. If the issue is approved in March, the district could lock in the lower rates, which would lower the taxes.

"It's a good time to pass the issue," said bond issue chairman Cassie Kane. "We can't guarantee the rates will stay low, and it will certainly save our taxpayers money."

Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Newark Advocate today to access all of our content online at offers.newarkadvocate.com.

While most agree that Hebron Elementary needs replaced, others have questioned why Jackson can't be fixed, and not torn down. "I'm convinced we have the right plan," board member Bill Pollard said in December. "I hear all the time that we're wasting money. But to put more money into a 50-year-old building is wasting money. Do we continue to put band-aids on the thing, and keep it together with duct tape?"

The fact a new stadium was built before a new school still doesn't sit well with some voters. The school board, which has some members only halfway through their four-year term and others just starting it, has worked to build trust from the community and has focused on being transparent, including installing cameras so people can watch board meetings. "If people don't trust us, why elect us? Pollard said. "They really haven't given us a chance."

"It's done, it's built and we're making monthly payments on it," board vice president Jonathan Lynch said about the stadium in December. "This board is the most transparent that I've seen in quite a while."

The bond issue went from 39 percent approval in May to 46 percent in November. "The seven percent increase is significant," board president Tara Houdeshell said. "We have, what, 10,000 registered voters? There are a lot more yes votes out there, and we have to increase voter turnout."

Kane said the levy committee has reached out to the district in different ways over the winter, and has seen increased support. "We've gone to smaller group meetings, like township and PTO," she said. "We've put 3-minute videos from our board members on our Facebook page. We have a phone bank, and there's been a strong effort to contact alumni, especially the most recent graduating classes. We want to encourage younger voters to get to the polls."

She said there has been an increased request for supportive yard signs from district residents. "A lot more people are wanting to show their support," Kane said. "And businesses have shown their support on social media."

Kane's children are now in high school, but she knows the importance of a new elementary school. "It's about the future of the district," she said. "We know we have enough people in the community who are ready for a new elementary school. Our goal is to make sure all of those residents are registered to vote and know we're on the ballot."